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Halsey ready to retire

English Premier League referee Mark Halsey is set to retire at the end of the season and is in discussions to release what could be an explosive autobiography on his time in the game, according to TalkSport.

Halsey, who won his battle with cancer to resume his career as a top-flight official, has been involved in a number of high-profile incidents this season. It is believed that this intense level of scrutiny may have played a role in his decision. The 51-year-old made a complaint to Greater Manchester police last September after he took charge of the Manchester United v Liverpool clash at Anfield. Halsey received abuse on Twitter following his decision to send off Liverpool midfielder Jonjo Shelvey for a dangerous challenge on Jonny Evans, and his awarding of a late penalty that enabled Robin van Persie to seal the victory for United. Halsey also came under fire once again after he failed to send off Wigan's Callum McManaman following his knee-high challenge on Newcastle's Massadio Haidara in a Premier League fixture in March.Referee Mark Halsey, who takes charge of probably his last match, Fulham v Liverpool on Sunday, infuriated his employers by the way he announced his retirement this week. Referees are required to give three months notice to the Professional Game Match Officials Limited before quitting. But they did not know that Halsey was hanging up his whistle at the end of the season until he made it known at a midweek training camp at St George’s Park, less than 24 hours before BT Sport unveiled him as their referee expert for their football coverage. It has further angered PGMOL that Halsey originally denied he was writing a book. Yet, The Referee is being promoted on Amazon, with a publication date on November 1, telling Halsey’s account of the ‘joy and pain and highs and lows’ of being a top-level referee and his fight against cancer. The book has a forward by Real Madrid’s Chelsea-bound manager Jose Mourinho, who describes Halsey as the only referee he likes.